Abstract
The Small East African (SEA) goat are widely distributed in different agro‐ecological zones of Tanzania. We report the genetic diversity, maternal origin, and phylogenetic relationship among the 12 Tanzanian indigenous goat populations, namely Fipa, Songwe, Tanga, Pwani, Iringa, Newala, Lindi, Gogo, Pare, Maasai, Sukuma, and Ujiji, based on the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D‐loop. High haplotype (H d = 0.9619–0.9945) and nucleotide (π = 0.0120–0.0162) diversities were observed from a total of 389 haplotypes. The majority of the haplotypes (n = 334) belonged to Haplogroup A which was consistent with the global scenario on the genetic pattern of maternal origin of all goat breeds in the world. Haplogroup G comprised of 45 haplotypes drawn from all populations except the Ujiji goat population while Haplogroup B with 10 haplotypes was dominated by Ujiji goats (41%). Tanzanian goats shared four haplotypes with the Kenyan goats and two with goats from South Africa, Namibia, and Mozambique. There was no sharing of haplotypes observed between individuals from Tanzanian goat populations with individuals from North or West Africa. The indigenous goats in Tanzania have high genetic diversity defined by 389 haplotypes and multiple maternal origins of haplogroup A, B, and G. There is a lot of intermixing and high genetic variation within populations which represent an abundant resource for selective breeding in the different agro‐ecological regions of the country.
Highlights
The Tanzanian goat (Capra hircus) population is currently estimated to be 24.1 million (NBS, 2020) with 97% comprising of indigenous goats belonging to the Small East African (SEA) goat breed (MLF, 2017).Due to their adaptability to different climatic conditions, the indigenous goats are widely distributed in almost all agro-ecological zones of Tanzania
An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) carried out for Tanzania indigenous goat mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) revealed a comparative lack of genetic structure, supporting a geographic distribution trends observed in previous studies of mtDNA diversity in goats (Chen et al, 2005; Joshi et al, 2004; Luikart et al, 2001; Naderi et al, 2007, 2008; Sultana et al, 2003; Tarekegn et al, 2018), in worldwide dataset, the Indian subcontinent, China, and Africa
This is the first study that investigates the genetic diversity within and between the indigenous goat populations using samples from all the agro-ecological zones where goat production is practiced in Tanzania
Summary
The Tanzanian goat (Capra hircus) population is currently estimated to be 24.1 million (NBS, 2020) with 97% comprising of indigenous goats belonging to the Small East African (SEA) goat breed (MLF, 2017) Due to their adaptability to different climatic conditions, the indigenous goats are widely distributed in almost all agro-ecological zones of Tanzania. Goats play different socio-cultural and traditional roles as gifts, dowry payments, and spiritual offerings Despite their wide distribution in Tanzania, the indigenous goats have low productivity in terms of growth and milk production. Studying the genetic history of domestic animals can provide crucial clues about past events and main pathways used for commercial transport of the animals in historical times and provide us with information about their genetic structure and relationship within and among populations Information from such studies is needed in designing and implementing conservation and improvement programs for indigenous goats. This study, was designed to determine the genetic diversity, maternal origin, and phylogenetic relationship of 12 populations of the indigenous goats in Tanzania using the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
